Lonnie Lawhttps://www.lonnielawoffice.com
Tue, 27 Aug 2019 00:21:30 +0000en-US
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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.3Stranded: Tips for staying safe in a vehiclehttps://www.lonnielawoffice.com/stranded-tips-for-staying-safe-in-a-vehicle/
Sun, 17 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000http://www.lonnielawoffice.com/stranded-tips-for-staying-safe-in-a-vehicle/More often than not, when people are involved in a car accident in Maryland, it is witnessed by others who are driving around the victims. Usually, more than one person is able to alert authorities and help is on its way within a matter of minutes. However, there are also incidents when people crash and […]

]]>More often than not, when people are involved in a car accident in Maryland, it is witnessed by others who are driving around the victims. Usually, more than one person is able to alert authorities and help is on its way within a matter of minutes. However, there are also incidents when people crash and are stranded or their vehicle becomes disabled and they are not near anyone. If no one has seen what has happened, the victims may be left to find a way out and get help themselves.

As such, it is important that people outfit their car with a basic emergency kit that includes the essentials needed to protect themselves and maximize the time they have. According to ready.gov, the following items should be inside of every person’s car:

A cellphone charger that is compatible with the connection in their vehicle.

Jumper cables.

A map.

Extra clothing and a blanket for warmth.

Flares.

When people become stranded, they may be unsure of what to do. Because it can be a worrisome situation, being educated about how to stay safe is imperative to a person’s ability to remain calm if they ever find themselves in a dangerous predicament. KSLTV suggests that people place flares about 40 feet in every direction of their vehicle, but then remain inside of their vehicle until help arrives. Another suggestion is for people to open the hood of their vehicle as a sign to others who may pass by that their vehicle is disabled and they need help.

]]>What contributes to premise liability incidents?https://www.lonnielawoffice.com/what-contributes-to-premise-liability-incidents/
Thu, 07 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000http://www.lonnielawoffice.com/what-contributes-to-premise-liability-incidents/In Maryland, there are laws in place meant to keep people like you from being harmed while you are on someone else’s property. This could be a friend’s house, or even public property like a grocery store. So what dangers should you be on the lookout for? Greenblatt & Veliev, LLC, is here to list some […]

In Maryland, there are laws in place meant to keep people like you from being harmed while you are on someone else’s property. This could be a friend’s house, or even public property like a grocery store. So what dangers should you be on the lookout for? Greenblatt & Veliev, LLC, is here to list some of the most common ones.

Incidents usually occur on property when there are dangerous elements present. However, what could be considered a “dangerous element” changes rapidly depending on certain conditions. Some that potentially increase the potential of accidents include:

Uneven pavement

Poor lighting

Slippery floors

Unstable or loose railings

Poorly-maintained decks

Improperly stacked goods

In many cases, the dangers come from the ground you walk on. Uneven or slippery ground are some big offenders, along with unexpected steps and sudden drops. Anything that can’t easily be detected that can cause your gait to be disrupted could result in a trip or fall.

Other issues center around employee carelessness. For example, mopping the floor and forgetting to put out a caution sign, or failing to put down salt if there is ice in the parking lot. These negligent actions can then impact everyone who visits the area.

If you have suffered from any sort of incident on someone else’s property that has led to a life-changing injury, consider contacting our experienced attorneys to discuss your case. You can also visit the link above and take a look at our web page on premise liability cases for more information.

]]>Sleepy behind the wheel? Tips to combat drowsy drivinghttps://www.lonnielawoffice.com/sleepy-behind-the-wheel-tips-to-combat-drowsy-driving/
Wed, 06 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000http://www.lonnielawoffice.com/sleepy-behind-the-wheel-tips-to-combat-drowsy-driving/Driving is an activity that takes a person’s full and undivided attention. Everyone knows and worries about the dangers of drinking while driving and distracted driving, but what about another major threat to roadway safety in Maryland, drowsy driving? This risk might sound miniscule to you, but in reality, there are drivers on the roads […]

]]>Driving is an activity that takes a person’s full and undivided attention. Everyone knows and worries about the dangers of drinking while driving and distracted driving, but what about another major threat to roadway safety in Maryland, drowsy driving?

This risk might sound miniscule to you, but in reality, there are drivers on the roads every day who are too fatigued to properly operate their vehicle. Drowsy driving is a problem with a potential solution, but it takes the efforts and mindfulness of many to combat the issue. To reduce the likelihood of experiencing a drowsy driving accident, consider some key reminders.

The impact of drowsy driving

Driving when you are too tired affects your response rates, attentiveness and alertness behind the wheel. The problem is not as small as many would like to believe. Studies have shown that one in 25 drivers report falling asleep behind the wheel in just the prior 30 days alone. More than half of adult drivers say they have driven a car when they felt too tired to do so.

Fatal crashes from drowsy driving result in the deaths of thousands of motorists each year. Some drivers are more likely to engage in this dangerous practice with 18-29-year-olds much more likely than other age groups to drive drowsy.

A perhaps obvious demographic is commercial drivers who are at a heightened risk of crashing due to sleepiness. These drivers are also more likely to be on the roads at peak drowsy crash times, from midnight to 6 a.m. Another time period ridden with drowsy driving accidents is the late afternoon when drivers leave work or take other trips in heavier traffic.

Preventing drowsy driving accidents

There are some simple solutions for combating drowsy driving as a habit in your life. The most important thing to do is to maintain a healthy, consistent sleep schedule, particularly for your age group. Teenaged drivers need more sleep but are often less likely to get adequate rest, so parents should watch for their child’s potential drowsy driving.

Beyond a healthy sleep schedule, develop some practices to combat drowsy driving. Caffeine is a helpful aid, but it is not a total solution. If necessary and safe, pull over for a 20-minute power nap and get some caffeine as a longer-term solution to drowsiness. For those with sleep disorders or on drowsiness-inducing medications, consult with a physician regarding how to best fight sleepiness behind the wheel.

Accidents caused by drowsy driving may involve only one car going off the road, or they may involve other vehicles. Take the necessary precautions to avoid this behavior and help keep the roads safer for all travelers.

]]>Volvo will cap its new cars’ speed to 112 mphhttps://www.lonnielawoffice.com/volvo-will-cap-its-new-cars-speed-to-112-mph/
Tue, 05 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000http://www.lonnielawoffice.com/volvo-will-cap-its-new-cars-speed-to-112-mph/Volvo is not known for designing sports cars, as much it is an automotive brand recognized for safety. Their slogan, “For Life” emphasizes the carmaker’s focus on safety and security for customers. Now the Swedish brand is taking it one step farther by capping the top speed on their vehicles. According to NPR, beginning in […]

]]>Volvo is not known for designing sports cars, as much it is an automotive brand recognized for safety. Their slogan, “For Life” emphasizes the carmaker’s focus on safety and security for customers. Now the Swedish brand is taking it one step farther by capping the top speed on their vehicles.

According to NPR, beginning in 2020, all new Volvos will only reach 112 mph or 180 kilometers per hour. Current versions of their S90 sedans and V90 hatchbacks can go up to 150 mph.

9,717 people died in speeding-related crashes

Though this cap exceeds any U.S. speed limits, the company states it is an important change because it is meant to send a message about the dangers of speeding. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) states in 2017, 9,717 people died in vehicle crashes caused by speeding. That accounts for more than one-quarter of all traffic fatalities in the U.S.

Devices that limit speed are common in other countries

In Japan, speed governors are common on cars. Speed limiters are also used in parts of Europe. However, in the U.S., devices that control speed are only used on commercial vehicles, like trucks or buses.

Volvo aims to reduce fatalities in their cars to zero

Reducing how fast their cars travel is all part of larger safety initiative Volvo is rolling out. The automaker is trying to reduce the number of people killed in new Volvos to zero by 2020. Speed reduction is part of the answer. Volvo also wants to address the issues of driving intoxicated and distracted driving. They hope to create technology that will get drivers to change these behaviors.

An accident with a car exceeding the speed limit can cause serious damage. You may be recovering from a serious injury that requires a hospital stay, a long recovery period and possibly rehabilitation. All that means time off work and significant medical bills.

If an insurance company tries to underpay on your claim, you do not have to accept their offer. You deserve adequate compensation for your recovery, so you can get back on your feet and get on with your life.

]]>Does Maryland recognize the attractive nuisance doctrine?https://www.lonnielawoffice.com/does-maryland-recognize-the-attractive-nuisance-doctrine/
Sun, 24 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000http://www.lonnielawoffice.com/does-maryland-recognize-the-attractive-nuisance-doctrine/As spring approaches, your kids will often be more anxious about being able to resume their warm-weather outdoor activities. As a parent, you want them to participate in everything that Rockville has to offer; at the same time, you may worry that their lack of experience and comprehension might lead them into dangerous situations. Swimming […]

]]>As spring approaches, your kids will often be more anxious about being able to resume their warm-weather outdoor activities. As a parent, you want them to participate in everything that Rockville has to offer; at the same time, you may worry that their lack of experience and comprehension might lead them into dangerous situations. Swimming pools, construction sites and canals are all examples of dangerous attractions that may entice your kids. Your hope is that the owners of the properties on which such attractions are found will do what is necessary to restrict access to them, or that you will legal recourse to act if they fail to do so.

The attractive nuisance doctrine allows liability to be assigned to property owners who fail to protect children from any dangerous attractions found on their land. The basis of this principle is the assumption that children lack the understanding needed to recognize these attractions as being dangerous. Maryland, however, is one of the few states that does not subscribe to the attractive nuisance doctrine. The state holds property owners to no higher duty of care to small children than they do adults.

This does not necessarily mean, however, that the state does see the need to assign liability to property owners for their negligent actions. The state’s appellate courts have been on the record as stating that property owners can be held liable for injuries their attractive nuisances cause in places where children have a right to be. For example, if a friend asks you to store some heavy equipment on your property, yet does nothing to restrict your children’s access to it while it is there, they could be liable if your kids play on it and are injured.

]]>Are self-driving cars safe?https://www.lonnielawoffice.com/are-self-driving-cars-safe/
Tue, 05 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000http://www.lonnielawoffice.com/are-self-driving-cars-safe/Technology is pretty amazing. It has brought many things into your life that you probably feel you cannot live without. It is also working hard to keep you safe in Maryland. One of the ways that companies are using technology is in self-driving cars. The idea of a car that drives itself seems so futuristic, […]

]]>Technology is pretty amazing. It has brought many things into your life that you probably feel you cannot live without. It is also working hard to keep you safe in Maryland. One of the ways that companies are using technology is in self-driving cars. The idea of a car that drives itself seems so futuristic, but they are on the roadways right now.

People are hesitant about self-driving cars for many reasons, but the main one is probably that they do not trust them to be safe. According to Forbes, that self-driving car myth is completely untrue. The reality is a self-driving car is much safer than you behind the wheel.

Perhaps the main reason is they lack the many faults of a human. They do not get distracted or lack a good reaction time. In addition, they learn from mistakes every single time. Every time a self-driving car goes out on the road, it not only learns on its own but the information it gathers teaches other self-driving cars, so it is community learning in a way. This is because the company gathers the information, analyzes it and uses it to update the program used by every car. So, even when a self-driving car has an accident, it becomes a learning event. It makes the car better in the future. This is not true about human drivers.

Another point is there is never a novice self-driving car. After the first car hit the road, all other cars had experience gathered from the other car. This reduces risk a lot because novice drivers are one of the biggest risks on the road.

Add these things up and it is easy to see just how safe self-driving cars are and how much safer they are than human drivers. This information is for education and is not legal advice.

]]>How do airbags protect?https://www.lonnielawoffice.com/how-do-airbags-protect/
Tue, 22 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000http://www.lonnielawoffice.com/how-do-airbags-protect/Staying safe on Maryland roadways is a combination of using safe driving habits and using the safety devices in your vehicle. In the event of a crash, your best protection is your seat belt and the vehicle’s air bags. Now standard on vehicles, air bags are actually a relatively new safety device. People are often […]

]]>Staying safe on Maryland roadways is a combination of using safe driving habits and using the safety devices in your vehicle. In the event of a crash, your best protection is your seat belt and the vehicle’s air bags. Now standard on vehicles, air bags are actually a relatively new safety device. People are often wary of them and do not completely understand how they protect in an accident. Understanding how they work and keep you safe is important because it will enable you to be sure you get the most protection from them.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains air bags must be used in coordination with seat belts to work properly. You could suffer serious injuries if you do not use your seat belt and the air bags deploy. In addition, sitting too close to the air bag also poses a risk.

Your air bags work to keep your body from striking the inside of the vehicle. They deploy during a crash. You may find them in the front of your vehicle in the steering wheel and dashboard. Your vehicle may also have side and rear air bags that cushion you from the sides and the back. Advanced frontal air bags are technologically advanced. They have more ability to determine when to deploy and how hard to deploy in a crash for the best protection.

You should note that you can only use an air bag one time. It needs to be replaced if it deploys. This information is for education. It is not legal advice.

]]>What should I know about stair banisters?https://www.lonnielawoffice.com/what-should-i-know-about-stair-banisters/
Tue, 08 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000http://www.lonnielawoffice.com/what-should-i-know-about-stair-banisters/Stairs are a necessary part of many buildings and homes to access higher or lower floors, but without the proper safety features, stairs can present real danger. Many Maryland property owners turn to stair banisters as a way to protect pedestrians from taking a nasty spill, and they can be effective, just as long as […]

]]>Stairs are a necessary part of many buildings and homes to access higher or lower floors, but without the proper safety features, stairs can present real danger. Many Maryland property owners turn to stair banisters as a way to protect pedestrians from taking a nasty spill, and they can be effective, just as long as the banister you install is well built and meets the right safety standards.

Realtor reveals a number of general guidelines that govern how banisters should be built. Your typical banister posts will usually be thirty to thirty-eight inches tall. The height of the overall banister will usually depend on whether one side of the stairs is bordered by a wall. Banisters should also maintain a constant grade, as uneven banisters can prevent people from maintaining a grip as they hold on to the stair railing.

You can expect the building codes of your area to dictate certain details of your stair banisters. Some codes will require banisters to only be placed within a certain length to a nearby wall. Banister positions should also maintain a reasonably wide walking path up and down the stairs. Additionally, banisters have to support a particular weight. Many building codes state that banisters should support around two hundred pounds.

In addition to giving support to people as they climb the stairs, the vertical posts that make up a banister provide a barrier so that people do not fall off the stairs onto a lower floor if no wall or other obstruction is present. However, the posts should be spaced in such a way so that children or pets do not fall through. Building codes will typically require posts to be placed four to five inches apart from each other.

Banisters may not prevent all stair accidents, but their presence may help keep stair climbers from suffering horrible and unnecessary falls and injuries. Since there are many ways people may experience injury on a premises, do not consider this article as legal advice. It is written only to convey educational benefit on premises liability topics.

]]>Will the other person in my case get jail time?https://www.lonnielawoffice.com/will-the-other-person-in-my-case-get-jail-time/
Mon, 24 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000http://www.lonnielawoffice.com/will-the-other-person-in-my-case-get-jail-time/If you file a personal injury case in Maryland, you may wonder what will happen when you go to court. Depending on the situation, you may hope the judge gives the other person some jail time as punishment for his or her negligence. According to the American Bar Association, you should not get your hopes […]

]]>If you file a personal injury case in Maryland, you may wonder what will happen when you go to court. Depending on the situation, you may hope the judge gives the other person some jail time as punishment for his or her negligence. According to the American Bar Association, you should not get your hopes up because in this type of case, the judge will not impose criminal penalties.

A personal injury case is a civil matter not a criminal matter. You cannot go to jail for a civil case because this type of case does not result in punishment. The judge can only award monetary judgments. This means that instead of the judge sentencing the other person to jail time, instead he or she will sentence the other person to pay you money.

A criminal case may result from the same incident that your case does, though. For example, if you were in a car accident where the other person was at fault, you can sue him or her in civil court, but the state may also press criminal charges. They become two different cases with two different results. So, the person may end up with jail time, but it will not come from your case.

Keep in mind that your case may still involve presenting evidence and witnesses just as with a criminal case. However, the basis for the laws are much different resulting in the difference in penalties. This information is for educational use only. It is not legal advice.

]]>Bicycle safety tips to keep you safehttps://www.lonnielawoffice.com/bicycle-safety-tips-to-keep-you-safe/
Sun, 16 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000http://www.lonnielawoffice.com/bicycle-safety-tips-to-keep-you-safe/There is a healthy bicycling culture in the United States, in fact, the number of trips made by bicycle more than doubled from 2001 to 2009. This increase is caused in large part by growing environmental concerns as well as people’s increased appreciation for their physical fitness. While bicycling is certainly a help to both […]

]]>There is a healthy bicycling culture in the United States, in fact, the number of trips made by bicycle more than doubled from 2001 to 2009. This increase is caused in large part by growing environmental concerns as well as people’s increased appreciation for their physical fitness.

While bicycling is certainly a help to both the environment as well as people’s health, it also leaves the rider much more exposed in the event of an accident. For bicycle riders who unfortunately collide with vehicles, the results are often fatal.

Deaths and injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 1,000 bicyclists died in 2015 and nearly 500,000 would reported injured. Not only is that just an awful waste of life, but it comes at a cost of over $10 billion to society.

The population most at risk for bicycle deaths are males, aged 50-59 who bike in urban areas and non-intersection locations.

4 bicycle safety reminders

As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” While he was referring to fire safety at the time, the quote rings true for all matters of safety. Here are 5 ways to stay safe while riding your bicycle.

Helmets. While Maryland state law does not require bicycle riders over the age of 16 to wear a helmet, it is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself in the event of an accident. If you’re going through the effort to wear a helmet, ensure that it fits properly either by doing an internet search or heading to a nearby bike shop and asking an expert.

Be seen. As much as we would like to believe that drivers are on the lookout for bicycles, they are not. Never assume that a driver see’s you. It may slow you down, but the alternative is worse. Wearing reflective gear is another simple precaution.

Listen to surroundings, not music. As tempting as it is to listen to your favorite music on your ride, it puts you at an increased risk of injury. Keep your ears tuned to the traffic around you.

Use hand signals. Drivers are tested on their ability to understand bicyclist’s hand signals. Using your hand signals could save you from a serious miscommunication on the road.

Keep these preventative tips in mind as you take to the roads and hopefully enjoy many more rides to come.